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Best Campgrounds near Three Forks, MT

625 Reviews

Camping options in Three Forks, Montana range from established state parks to dispersed sites, with several developed campgrounds offering amenities for various camping styles. Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground provides historical significance as the birthplace of the Missouri River, with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. The Three Forks KOA Journey, located just off I-90, offers full hookups with both tent and RV sites, plus cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort while exploring the region.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations affect camping accessibility throughout the area. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months. "The campground has a water pump, but the only pump appears to be in the day use area so you will want to drive to the pump to fill up your water jugs in order to avoid a long walk back to camp with those heavy water jugs," noted one visitor about a nearby national forest campground. Cell service varies considerably, with stronger connections near town and limited to no coverage in more remote locations. Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter bringing snow and freezing conditions.

Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and historical significance of the region as major draws. The confluence of three rivers at Missouri Headwaters State Park creates opportunities for fishing, photography, and wildlife viewing. A camper described it as having "an open-air, welcoming vibe and a sprawling variety of other things to explore," noting the decent spacing between some sites. Proximity to water features prominently in positive reviews, though some mention highway noise as a drawback at certain locations. Public lands near Copper City offer free dispersed camping options for tent campers seeking more primitive experiences. Mixed-use campgrounds like Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park balance natural settings with amenities like electric hookups and accessible facilities, attracting both tent and RV campers looking for moderate convenience without sacrificing natural surroundings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Three Forks, Montana (139)

    1. Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Three Forks, MT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 285-3610

    $14 / night

    "Near the town of Three Forks, to which there are both short/scenic bike trails and an 18-miler. 6 of the 17 tent sites are 1st-come, 1st-serve."

    "This campsite is located in a beautiful remote area of Montana, only a short hike away from the beginning of the Missouri River. Large site. The only problem was there were many mosquitoes."

    2. Three Forks KOA Journey

    19 Reviews
    Three Forks, MT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 285-3611

    $58 - $70 / night

    "Camp Three Forks is conveniently located off I-90 on 287 as you head south to Yellowstone. It's a beautiful campground with nice grassy sites and nice views of the mountains."

    "Park for children

    Great walking paths

    Fire pit accessible

    Trash and dumpsters."

    3. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park — Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

    37 Reviews
    Cardwell, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 287-3541

    $8 - $70 / night

    "The layout of this state park was somewhat unusual: there are five loops within one larger loop with 32 sites plus seven additional pull-through sites on the outside of the loop."

    "It is not far away from freeway I90.

    It has never been crowded when we were there in spring or fall. Big campground, clean and tidy, in an open area with few trees. Shower building was OK."

    4. Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV

    33 Reviews
    Gallatin Gateway, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-3030

    $45 - $100 / night

    "We were very close to the path to go to the hot springs which wound up being a nice feature for us, even though it meant a bit of cut-through from other campers."

    "We were in a back in site that had a huge yard area and super convenient walking path to the hot springs just feet away. We went in the evening and the hot springs vibe at night is so cool."

    5. Copper City BLM

    4 Reviews
    Three Forks, MT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 533-7600

    "Lots of open space and locations to pull out--beautiful views as well! To access this place we went towards Copper City Trail Head, and drove by the entrance onto BLM lands."

    6. Harrison Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Harrison, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Harrison Lake FAS campground is a large spacious campground with most campsite being well spread out from each other. "

    "Harrison Lake Campground is a great spot if you're looking for a quiet getaway. The campsites are spacious and well-spread out, offering plenty of privacy."

    7. Serenity Sheep Farm Stay

    7 Reviews
    Belgrade, MT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 580-7176

    $30 / night

    "After driving 12k miles this place was a perfect place for our first night in Montana—open skies, mountain views, and the calming presence of farm animals all around. It truly lives up to its name!"

    "We had plenty of space to set up our tent and we felt comfortable leaving it set up to eat at one of the local spots in the nearby town (~15 min away)."

    8. Cardwell General Store and Campground

    10 Reviews
    Cardwell, MT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 581-1526

    "This is a nice camping area although the sites are fairly close to each other. There are bugs because of the nearby pond."

    "There is some highway noise, but is background noise."

    9. Norris Hot Springs

    13 Reviews
    Norris, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 685-3303

    $33 - $44 / night

    "Come for the hot spring and stay steps away in a great tent or RV site! The RV sites have water and electric hook ups, and there is a portable toilet by the tent sites."

    "Outside of the hot springs there’s nothing to do at the small campground. They have it well maintained and it is pretty quiet even though it’s on the highway."

    10. Red Mountain (MT)

    6 Reviews
    Norris, MT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-8000

    $20 / night

    "It is in the dry part of Montana so each site is exposed to one another. The campground host is very particular."

    "The area is just beautiful, with the river only a few steps away, and there is plenty of room for people and pets to run and play. Lots of fun hiking trails nearby."

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Recent Camping Photos near Three Forks, MT

108 Photos of 139 Three Forks Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Three Forks, MT

625 Reviews of 139 Three Forks Campgrounds

  • Caroline T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed

    TENT CAMP ONLY - no drive in

    Came here looking to camp in our rooftop tent. These 3-4 camp spots are tent only because the spots are about a 5 minute walk into the woods and you cannot drive up. We unfortunately had to find camp elsewhere

  • Caroline T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046

    Not what other reviews make it seem

    We came here looking for a dispersed site to camp in a rooftop tent. There was only about 3 spots all super unlevel, and seem somewhat sketchy. I didn’t feel safe camping here and we ended up going somewhere else. Not sure what these other reviews are talking about.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Hood Creek Campground

    Outstanding

    I had such a fantastic September stay at Hood Creek with gorgeous weather and peaceful views. Of all the sites only a few were undesirable with the vast majority being awesome. Signs posted this weekend that gate is closing for the season at 12:00PM 9/28/25. Never saw a forest service staff member or any representative for the recreation area this weekend. A massive bummer that boils my blood is I had no less than 5 nearby spots all reserved for multiple nights where nobody showed during the entire weekend while others strolled thru looking for a place to camp. Total garbage. Something has to improve on this because affluent people don’t give an ounce of care by booking and not using. The reservoir was nearly 25ft below full this time of year. Bathrooms were very clean but definitely stenchy. I believe that there was a water spigot there but wasn’t paying much attention to that. Overall just a tremendous place to spend a solid few days enjoying.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    I towed my small camper up the mountain fairly easily, although this is by far the roughest road I’ve encountered so far. Not for the faint of heart! I saw a couple sprinter vans coming up but no other RV’s. There are a handful of spots to camp on the way up the mountain but I found one about 1/4 mile before the campground. There is sun, shade, a fire ring and 3 other neighboring sites. 2 of those sites aren’t very accessible by car but this site is big enough for multiple vehicles. It’s also walking distance to the Fairy Lake trailhead and to the lake itself, which is very popular on the weekends. Would absolutely stay here again. No bugs, no bear scat nearby, some traffic but still private.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Battle Ridge Campground

    Great for tents

    We found this spot to be lovely but don’t go up the mountain if you have an rv. We ended up at the dead end and we had to back down our 30 foot rv down the mountain. Lots of people living at this spot in the late fall so be aware of that. Cool spot but not big rig friendly passed the main turn in area.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Fairy Lake Campground

    Gorgeous Mountains and Crystal Clear Water

    The drive up is very rough, most vehicles I saw were Toyotas and Subarus. 4 Wheel drive is recommended, however I took my Ram Promaster 3500 Campervan up to the top where the campground is. The campground is a little higher up than the lake, but the Mountain View’s are worth not having a campsite directly on the water. There is a stream that runs through a few sites tho. Anyway it was beautiful and plenty of space between other sites, but there were people there all weekend long. The weekdays we were basically alone at the campground.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Hood Creek Campground

    Views, convenience and nice sites

    About 15 miles of paved roads from Bozeman. Separated sites, most with lake views. Clean vault toilets.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046

    Easy Access on Creek

    12 miles from Bozeman. Creekside spots are high demand, but other spots are nice also. Flat for rigs, and very clean vault toilets. Lots of hikes and reservoir is only 4 miles further. Hood Creek Campground 5 miles further had ample spots including lakeside.

Guide to Three Forks

Camping near Three Forks, Montana, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park: This park is famous for its impressive limestone caverns. One visitor shared, "Be sure to unhook and get to the caverns early in the morning to get a reservation to tour." The park also offers hiking trails and beautiful views.
  • Visit Missouri Headwaters State Park: This park is where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers meet. A camper noted, "The state park, campgrounds, and trails are so beautiful." It's a great spot for fishing and enjoying nature.
  • Relax at Norris Hot Springs: Soaking in the hot springs is a must. One happy camper said, "Imagine soaking in a beautiful wooden pool, enjoying a cold beverage and a pizza, while you listen to live music." It's a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.

What campers like:

  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the welcoming atmosphere. At Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, one reviewer mentioned, "Hosts were super friendly and nice."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Bear Canyon Campground said, "Campground and shower house is very clean."
  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Spire Rock Campground noted, "My site was very secluded, peaceful, and beautiful!"

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes can be a nuisance: Especially at Missouri Headwaters State Park, where one camper warned, "The mosquitos were so bad we immediately left and found another place to stay for the night."
  • Reservations are recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A visitor at Bozeman Hot Springs Campground advised, "They do have drop-in non-reservation sites, but recommend getting reservations."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Campers at Langohr Campground noted, "There are no showers, dump station, or camp store, but you are close to Bozeman."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places like Norris Hot Springs, where kids can enjoy the hot springs and live music. One parent said, "This place is magical... dog and kid friendly!"
  • Plan for outdoor fun: Many campgrounds are near hiking trails and rivers. A family at Three Forks KOA Journey enjoyed the "beautiful facilities and friendly helpful staff."
  • Pack insect repellent: Given the mosquito situation, it's wise to be prepared. A camper at Missouri Headwaters State Park mentioned, "I tried 3 different bug repellants... they never cleared out."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spaces. A reviewer at Bear Canyon Campground noted, "Sites are spaced nicely apart for being in an RV setting."
  • Look for full hookups: Campgrounds like Ennis RV Village offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. One visitor said, "Very clean restrooms & sites are spaced nicely apart."
  • Be mindful of road noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A camper at Bozeman Hot Springs Campground mentioned, "It's on a busy highway and it backs up to houses/trailers."

Camping near Three Forks, Montana, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a little planning and the right campground, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Three Forks, Montana?

Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground is a top choice with historical displays, friendly rangers, and scenic bike trails. This beautiful park marks the beginning of the Missouri River and offers 17 tent sites (6 first-come, first-serve). Another excellent option is Fairy Lake Campground, which features stunning mountain views, dense forest surroundings, and crystal-clear water. The campground provides a truly magical outdoor experience. For those seeking alternatives, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers drive-in camping with amenities including water and toilets, while Harrison Lake Campground provides a peaceful lakeside experience close to Three Forks.

How far is Three Forks, Montana from major cities and attractions?

Three Forks is strategically located near several Montana destinations. Bozeman is approximately 30 miles east along I-90, making it a quick 35-minute drive. Helena is about 65 miles northwest (roughly 1 hour), while Butte is 60 miles west (also about 1 hour). For attractions, Delmoe Lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Butte is about a 50-minute drive, offering beautiful camping and recreation. Ennis Montana FWP campground is approximately 50 miles south (about 1 hour), conveniently located near downtown Ennis with riverside camping. Yellowstone National Park's west entrance is roughly 100 miles south (about 2 hours), making Three Forks a good staging point for park visits.

What RV parks are available near Three Forks, MT?

Three Forks KOA Journey is conveniently located off I-90 on Highway 287 as you head south toward Yellowstone. This beautiful campground offers grassy sites with mountain views and consistent breezes during summer months. The facilities include clean bathrooms in a well-maintained setting. For those wanting amenities like hot springs access, Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV provides full hookup sites with varying layouts. This park features convenient paths to the hot springs, making it ideal for RVers looking to relax after a day of exploring. Cardwell General Store and Campground is another option that accommodates big rigs and provides water and toilet facilities.

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